Candida & Parasites

Candida & Parasites

What is Candida?

Candida Albicans is an opportunistic fungus (or form of yeast) that is a part of the gut flora, a group of microorganisms that live in your mouth and intestine. When the population of this yeast starts getting out of control it weakens the intestinal wall, penetrating through into the bloodstream and releasing its toxic byproducts throughout the body. When this occur, it is referred to as Candida or Candidiasis—an overgrowth of Candida Albicans.

How does Candida have an effect on my digestion?

As Candida spreads, the toxic byproducts cause damage to your digestive tract. Symptoms you may experience include:

Gas
Bloating
Diarrhea
Constipation
Intestinal cramps
Itching in anal region

The major waste product of yeast cell activity is Acetaldehyde, a poisonous toxin that promotes free radical activity in the body. Acetaldehyde is also converted by the liver into ethanol (drinking alcohol). Some people even report feeling a drunk or hungover feeling along with debilitating fatigue from the high amounts of ethanol is their system.

How would I know if I have Candida?

Virtually all body tissues and organs are affected by Candida, thus, wreaking havoc on your entire immune system. In addition to digestive symptoms, Candida is the cause of many other undesirable symptoms:

Fatigue
Weight gain
Joint pain
Decreased libido
Headaches
Brain fog
Anxiety/Depression
Irritability
Vaginal yeast infections
Bladder infections

What can I do to ensure I do not experience Candida?

Candida is a debilitating condition that prevents you from waking up strong, healthy and bursting with energy.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prevent it:

Limit antibiotic and oral contraceptive use
Maintain a healthy diet—low in processed foods, sugar and carbohydrates
Avoid alcohol and drugs
Keep stress at bay

In our modern world, however, Candida is quite prevalent. Here are ways in which to overcome Candida:

Follow a good Candida diet. Here are the most common foods to avoid on a Candida diet:

Processed foods
Alcohol
Sugar of any kind, including fruit
Starchy vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes and corn
Grains containing gluten, e.g., wheat, barley
Foods that feed yeast, e.g., dairy, soy, vinegar, mushrooms, etc.
Foods that could contain mold, e.g, cashews, pistachios, etc.

Supplement with probiotics
Take anti-fungal supplements such as aloe vera, cloves, garlic, grapefruit seed and oregano oil
Reduce stress
Undergo a Candida specific internal cleansing program that includes Electro Lymphatic Therapy and Colon Hydrotherapy

What are Parasites?

A parasite is any organism that lives and feeds off of another organism. When we refer to intestinal parasites, we are referring to tiny organisms, usually worms that feed off of your nutrition.

Because parasites come in so many different shapes and sizes, they can cause a very wide range of problems. Some consume your food, leaving you hungry after every meal and unable to gain weight. Others feed off of your red blood cells. Some lay eggs that can cause itching, irritability, and even insomnia. If you have tried countless approaches to heal your gut and relieve your symptoms without any success, a parasite could be the underlying cause for many of your unexplained and unresolved symptoms.

How do Parasites have an effect on my digestion?

Specific digestive symptoms that could indicate Parasites include:

Unexplained constipation, diarrhea, gas, or other symptoms of IBS
Never feeling satisfied after your meals
Food allergies
Diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia and/or malnutrition

Having a parasite can be a scary thought, but you're not alone; parasites are far more common than you think. It’s a myth that parasites only exist in underdeveloped countries. In addition to digestive disturbances, here are signs/symptoms also associated with parasites:

International travel and recalling getting traveler’s diarrhea while abroad
A history of food poisoning and your digestion has not been the same since
Trouble falling asleep, or you wake up multiple times during the night
Skin irritations or unexplained rashes, hives, rosacea or eczema.
Grinding your teeth in your sleep
Pain or aching in your muscles or joints
Fatigue, exhaustion, depression, or frequent feelings of apathy
Joint pain/inflammation, arthritis

What can I do to avoid Parasites?

Here are the most important ways in which to steer clear of parasites:

Avoid contaminated food and water
Do not consume undercooked meat or raw seafood
Wash fresh produce well
Avoid contact with human or animal feces
Have minimal contact with anyone diagnosed with parasites as parasites can be transmitted
When traveling, be extra vigilant in all of the above areas

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